By Aston
March 9 2007

STB brings you team news, manager previews, betting odds and officials ahead of Towns game against Southend tomorrow (KO 3:00pm).

Town have Fabian Wilnis back from a hamstring injury but Jon Walters, Gavin Williams and Richard Naylor are all out.

 

Town manager Jim Magilton: “The players have shown a terrific application and attitude to get through what was a difficult period for us, it's all credit to them that they have turned the results around over the last two games and it's credit to the coaching staff as well, who cajoled the players when they were down.

 

“The challenge now is to build on the results we have had this week and take that right through to the end of the season.

 

“I want us to put a marker down, if not for this season, for the start of next year.

 

“If the players are not right on their game, then we will lose. It's as simple as that and we have drummed that message home this week, Southend are a decent side. They have players that can hurt you. Freddy Eastwood scores goals. He plays on the last man and it doesn't seem to worry him if he misses chances or gets caught offside. He will keep going.

 

“I'm also a big fan of their skipper Kevin Maher. He's an outstanding leader and an outstanding player and we'll keep going whatever the circumstances .

 

“Southend are similar in style to us. They pass and move and I'm sure they will come to Portman Road and present a problem for us. We have to deal with it.”

 

Town Squad: Bruce, Clarke, De Vos, Garvan, Harding, Haynes, Jeffers, Lee, Legwinski, O'Callaghan, Peters, Price, Richards, Roberts, Sito, Supple, Wilnis, Wright.

 

Southend will be without defender Adam Barrett who is injured while striker Richie Forlan is suspended.

 

Southend manager Steve Tilson: “I went to watch them on Tuesday and they're certainly beatable, it was a good result for them against Hull but it is certainly a game we can go into confident that we can get something.”

 

Betting Odds (found using Sportsnetwork Odds Checker):

Town: 9/10

Draw: 12/5

Southend: 10/3

 

Referee: M Atkinson

Assistants: N Kinseley and P Sharp

Fourth Official: J Singh

 

Source: Ipswich Town – the official website

 

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